Guide to Lodging Accommodations

There are several reasons why
people with cancer and their
families may decide to travel
to receive care. Some, especially in
rural areas, may have limited access to
oncologists and treatment facilities in
their area. Others may travel to consult
with a specialist, seek a second opinion
on a diagnosis or treatment plan, or undergo
a therapy that isn’t widely available.
For cancer survivors and their families,
finding accommodations can be a challenge.
Several facilities offer lodging for
free or for a nominal fee. Each temporary
lodging program will have its own
rules and criteria to qualify for services.

Many hospitals and American Cancer
Society offices have agreements with
nearby hotels and/or campgrounds for
reduced rates for people with cancer and
their families. Before traveling, contact
the hospital’s social worker or the admitting
desk for such information. Also,
many of the major cancer centers have
outpatient lodging run by the institution.

The following is a partial listing of
organizations that provide or coordinate
temporary accommodations for people
with cancer and their families who must
travel for medical care.

American Cancer Society Hope
Lodges offer people with cancer and
their families a free, temporary place to
stay when their best hope for effective
treatment may be in another city. Guests
have access to the American Cancer
Society’s 24-hour toll-free call center,
website, and comprehensive on-site
libraries. Accommodations and eligibility
requirements may vary by location.
To find a Hope Lodge or to learn more
about a specific facility, call the American
Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345
or visit
cancer.org/hopelodge.

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
is a group of organizations that
help people with cancer manage financial
challenges. CFAC offers an online
database at
cancerfac.org that allows
users to search for national or local
financial assistance by type of assistance
needed, such as housing, or by
cancer diagnosis.

Hospital Hosts provides people traveling
to receive medical care and their
loved ones a nationwide network of
economical housing options, ranging
from bed and breakfast inns and hotels
to special facilities for hospital patients
and families and free accomodations in
the homes of private volunteers. Visit
hospitalhosts.com to search for lodging
accommodations near your hospital or
to join the network of private host homes.

Joe’s House, joeshouse.org, provides a
national, centralized list of accommodations
that cater to people with cancer,
their families, and caregivers. Lodging
options range from hospitality houses,
hotels, host family matching programs,
apartments, and more. Many lodging
facilities listed are free of charge, but
they all offer some type of medical discount.
Details on each lodging facility
are available with information on amenities,
rates, reservation methods, and
requirements. Those who do not have
Internet access may call (877) 563-7468.
A representative will provide you with
the lodging facilities listed as well as
their reservation information.

National Association of Hospital Hospitality
Houses, Inc. is an association
of nonprofit organizations that provide
family-centered lodging and support
services to families and their loved ones
who are receiving medical treatment far
from their home communities. NAHHH
members/houses offer inexpensive accommodations
during hospitalizations,
before and after surgery, and during
repeated visits. Call (800) 542-9730
or visit
nahhh.org for a directory of
NAHHH members and houses.

Ronald McDonald House Charities
provides a “home away from home” for
families of seriously ill children receiving
treatment at nearby hospitals. In
return, families are asked to make a
donation ranging on average from $5
to $25 per day, but if that isn’t possible,
their stay is free. To find a Ronald McDonald House
near you, visit
rmhc.org
or call (630) 623-7048.

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Contact each organization to obtain specific
eligibility requirements. In addition, check
with your local cancer treatment center, hospital,
American Cancer Society office, or
other cancer support organization for information
about lodging or obtaining financial
assistance for lodging for cancer survivors
and their families. This listing was compiled
by the editors of Coping® and may not include
all lodging providers or coordinators.

This article was originally published in Coping® with Cancer magazine,
January/February
2013.